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Insecurity In Nigeria: Lagos State Set To Ban Commercial Motorcyclists

Okada Riders

The Lagos State government has taken a step to curb the rate of insecurity in the state by further strengthening the ban imposed on commercial motorcyclists, also known as okada riders, in the state. With several crimes reported in several parts of the state, the Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is set to announce a new policy on okada riders operation in the state.

With the spate of crime perpetrated by the okada riders on the increase, it is claimed that the policy to be unveiled on Tuesday, May 17, 2021, would be aimed at imposing a further ban on okada riders. An insider in the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation revealed to Sunday Tribune that part of the policy would include a roll-out of buses that would help ease the transportation burden in the event that commercial motorcyclists are banned. According to him, “as more buses are rolled out across routes in Lagos, that means okada is gone forever.” There have been partial okada bans in the past – in some areas – but the incoming ban seems to be a total eradication in all parts of  Lagos metropolis.

This policy is set to be rejected by the over 400,000 okada riders who ply Lagos’ roads as they see the policy as inhuman and inconsiderate but when asked why the commercial cyclists have not been carried along, the source was quick to point out that the okada riders have been asked to form themselves into a formal body under the National Union of the Road Transport Workers (NURTW), which will help in organizing them, but they have refused to do that.

This is not the first time the Lagos State government will be announcing a ban on commercial motorcyclists in the state. Former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, issued an okada ban in 2012, restricting their operation in certain parts of the states, however, they have since returned to all the routes they were banned from. That being said, this incoming ban seems certain because it is the first time an immediate alternative is provided (buses) to provide an easy landing for road users.

One thing is sure, with the rising insecurity levels in the state and the use of okada to perpetuate all kinds of crime in different parts of Lagos metropolis, it does seem like okada riders have run their course in Lagos state. The state command of the Nigeria Police Force released a report that between January and early May, okada riders have been responsible for 83 percent of 385 cases of avoidable fatal accidents in the state. Also, they have been involved in 218 criminal incidents with 480 guns of various calibers seized.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu further reiterated the above facts when he said:

“The menace of okada operators does not end with avoidable accidents. Crime reports from the field have shown that a greater percentage of crimes ranging from armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, murder, burglary, and stealing to traffic robbery, carjacking, and cash snatching from bank customers are attributable to hoodlums who operate on okada. The nuisance constituted by the okada operators on Lagos roads has become a danger to law-abiding citizens.”

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Entertainment

2Baba unfollows wife Natasha and refollows ex-wife Annie

Nigerian music legend Innocent “2Baba” Idibia has unfollowed his wife, Natasha Osawaru, on Instagram, days after a reported public confrontation between the two at a nightclub opening in Abuja.

The incident reportedly occurred on Friday at the launch of the “90s Lounge,” where 2Baba was billed to perform. According to accounts circulating online, Osawaru arrived at the venue accompanied by several men before approaching the singer’s vehicle, triggering a commotion that required the intervention of police and security personnel.

An eyewitness account shared by a social media user claimed Osawaru had demanded to speak with 2Baba on arrival, though the widely circulated video from the scene does not show what specifically triggered the confrontation.

Following the incident, 2Baba was said to have told Osawaru he was no longer interested in continuing their relationship. Checks on his Instagram account on Sunday confirmed he had unfollowed her, while Osawaru continued to follow him.

The fallout comes just over a year after 2Baba’s very public split from his ex-wife, actress Annie Macaulay Idibia, ending a 13-year marriage in January 2025. He confirmed his relationship with Osawaru, an Edo State lawmaker, shortly after, proposing in February 2025 and marrying her in a private traditional ceremony that July.

In a further twist, checks on Monday showed that 2Baba and Annie have since followed each other again on Instagram, more than a year after the pair had unfollowed one another following their separation. The renewed connection has fuelled fresh speculation and reactions online, with many commenters framing the timing as a kind of poetic justice given the current strain between 2Baba and Osawaru.

This isn’t the first sign of tension surrounding the marriage. In a previous incident, 2Baba reportedly interrupted a livestream in which his former managers were discussing his private life, telling them directly to stop. Shortly after, a heated exchange between him and Osawaru was heard off-camera before the broadcast was abruptly cut.

Throughout the public scrutiny surrounding his relationships, 2Baba has maintained that Osawaru was not the reason for his separation from Annie.As of publication, neither 2Baba nor Osawaru has issued a public statement addressing the nightclub incident or the changes to their social media activity.

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Celebs

Nollywood star Tonto Dikeh launches Christian Prayer Ministry

The former Nollywood actress kicked off her ministry in Abuja, called New Wine Prophetic Tabernacle. After months of announcing her plans to go into ministry, former Nollywood star Tonto Dikeh is now leading a Christian gathering in Abuja. In a video clip shared on her Instagram page, the 40-year-old was captured leading a powerful prayer session in her newly launched New Wine Prophetic Ministry.

The former Nollywood star describes her New Wine Prophetic Tabernacle as an interdenominational altar dedicated to prayer, revival, spiritual training, and the awakening of consecrated believers.

“NEW WINE PROPHETIC TABERNACLE (NWPT) @nwpt_global is an interdenominational altar, spiritual home, and global movement of consecrated believers called to experience the raw power, purity, and presence of God. Grounded in the foundational truth of Scripture “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins…” (Mark 2:22).
NWPT exists as a dwelling place of His presence for those who refuse to settle for lukewarm Christianity and are hungry for genuine revival, fire, and transformation.”

She added that her ministry is not a church but an intense gathering of those consecrated and equipped for the purposes of God. Since converting to a born-again Christian, Tonto Dikeh has been vocal about her faith. In February 2026, she completed a discipleship programme at Pastor Jerry Eze’s Streams of Joy International church, sharing her certificate on Instagram and speaking about a profound spiritual rebirth that had reshaped her perspective on life, faith, and service.

The vocal embrace of her Christian faith has not been without some controversy. In March 2026, a video where she was performing a deliverance on a schoolgirl went viral online and led to massive criticism, including the threat of a lawsuit by a Human Rights Lawyer.

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Entertainment

$20K, ₦400m mansion, other lavish gifts Peller and Jarvis received for wedding

The wedding of TikTok stars Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, and Elizabeth Amadou, better known as Jarvis, was filled with memorable moments. Beyond the glamorous outfits, celebrity guests, and cultural displays, it was the extravagant gifts presented to the newlyweds that became one of the biggest talking points.

Even before the wedding day, gifts had already started pouring in, while several admirers promised to present theirs during the ceremony. Peller’s longtime TikTok supporter, Gregory, kicked off the celebrations with a generous wedding gift of $20,000.

Gregory travelled to Nigeria specifically for the wedding and expressed excitement about being part of the occasion. Speaking during the event, he also revealed his interest in investing in Nigeria. “I can’t relocate, but Peller and Peller are going to work on some investment opportunities in Nigeria. One of the things that I really wanna do is open a school here. Hopefully we can do it; that would be my dream

One of the biggest surprises of the day came from Delta based billionaire Mohammed Ochacho, who presented the couple with a mansion worth ₦400 million in Lifecamp, Abuja.

While announcing the gift, the businessman explained that his children encouraged him to make the presentation. “On behalf of my children, I am presenting a brand new house for you worth ₦400 million in Lifecamp, Abuja.”

The gesture came just days after Peller met Ochacho at music executive Soso Soberekon’s event. During that meeting, the billionaire introduced the content creator to some of his associates and had earlier promised him 10 cows as part of his wedding gifts. Peller later jokingly called him out for not fulfilling that promise before the mansion was eventually unveiled.

In June 2026, Peller proposed to Jarvis during a private beachside ceremony at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Ghana

Just weeks later, he paid her bride price during a traditional introduction ceremony in Edo State, after which they had a court wedding.

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